Specsavers to Enter Nova Scotia in 2025, Completing Coast-to-Coast Canadian Expansion
Tuesday, July 8 2025 | 14 h 42 min | News
Following its presence at the Canadian Association of Optometry Congress in Halifax, Specsavers has confirmed it will open its first locations in Nova Scotia starting in fall 2025—solidifying its coast-to-coast footprint in Canada.
Since entering the Canadian market in 2021, Specsavers has opened 158 locations across British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. Each Specsavers location in Canada operates under a joint ownership model, partnering an independent optometrist with a retail co-owner—typically a licensed optician or experienced optical retailer. This structure enables local ownership, while Specsavers provides upfront investment of over $500,000 per store to cover startup costs.
“We look forward to extending these opportunities to the Nova Scotia market starting in the fall of 2025,” said Bill Moir, Managing Director of Specsavers Canada. “Specsavers is rapidly scaling across Canada with a bold mission: to change lives through better sight by creating lasting opportunities for independent optometrists and optical retailers.”
The company reports that its Canadian network now includes more than 300 independent optometrists and over 450 licensed opticians. Each store serves an average of 100 patients weekly. Specsavers has set a target of serving one million Canadians with eye exams and eyewear by the end of 2025.
Each Specsavers-affiliated clinic is independently owned and operated by the optometrist partner, supported by advanced diagnostic equipment, including OCT, and a national clinical support team. According to Naomi Barber, Clinical Services Director for Specsavers Canada, “From day one, we equip Canadian optometrists with the tools to lead, grow, and deliver top-tier clinical care in their own practice. It’s a model designed by optometrists, for optometrists.”
Beyond clinical support, Specsavers provides resources in marketing, HR, supply chain, and business operations. The company has also received recognition for its workplace culture, earning certification as a Great Place to Work® and ranking 11th among Canada’s top workplaces.
As interest in the Specsavers partnership model has grown, the company notes increasing demand from practitioners in provinces outside its current operating regions. Moir characterizes the expansion not just as business growth but as a shift in the way eye care is delivered in Canada.
“Canadian optometrists and opticians are stepping into ownership with purpose, backed by real investment and unwavering support,” he said. “This model is uniting a national network of healthcare leaders who believe quality eyecare should be accessible to everyone within their local communities and beyond.”
For more information on Specsavers’ partnership model, visit specsaverspartnership.ca.
Click HERE for the press release.
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